ENG-1982 — Page 176

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HOUSING AND LAND

During the year, the division's photogrammetric unit supplied large scale mapping for engineering, geotechnical control and development purposes; it also made good progress in plotting for the standard metric 1:1 000 map series. The analytical plotter installed in 1981 enabled the unit to process digital data, taken from photographs, for complex engineering projects. Aerial photography for specific photogrammetric purposes, and for engineering and environmental studies, was supplied by the air survey unit, assisted by the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force. The whole of Hong Kong was photographed at high altitude for general record purposes, with low altitude coverage of the urban and active development areas.

The cartographic sections continued the metrication of the 1:1 000 basic mapping series. By year-end, the urbanised areas, including the new towns, and all developed and active rural areas were covered by this series. Cyclic revision of basic mapping sheets and revision of the territory's many mapping series continued. Those reprinted include the Hong Kong Streets and Places, Volumes I and II, and seven 1:20 000 sheets. A further 20 sheets of the 1:5 000 series were completed during the year. Special maps, charts and coloured plans were also produced for government departments and sales of maps, plans and aerial photographs for planning, development, recreation and tourist purposes increased.

The geodetic sections continued to update and maintain existing minor control stations and to introduce new survey control into developing areas. A major project was the extension of the precise level network to Tsing Yi, Ma Wan Island and Lantau Island by cross-water levelling, which means the whole of Hong Kong, except for a few remote islands, is now covered by one rigid vertical control system.

Cadastral surveys, one of the Survey Division's important functions, involved the definition of boundaries for the alienation of Crown land, the allocation of Crown land to various government departments and the re-establishment of boundaries of old lots for redevelopment purposes. A number of statutory plans defining areas set aside for public purposes were produced. The re-establishment of old lot boundaries and the definition of Mass Transit Railway areas along the Island Line accounted for most of the title work in urban areas. In the New Territories the most active areas were the new towns, while the formation of the Lands Department has meant that additional survey services, formerly provided by the New Territories Administration, are being handled by the Survey Division. The Lands Department Survey Training School continued to provide practical survey training for those students undergoing the certificate course in land surveying at the Hong Kong Polytechnic, and also provided basic cartographic and elementary surveying courses. During the year, over 300 government officers attended various courses at the school. Government scholarships for professional training in land surveying in the United Kingdom were awarded to eight officers.